12a: If you are the allergic/afraid person, that does not give you the right to make major demands, like having the entire house steam cleaned or the animal locked up for the duration of your stay. Any accommodations above and beyond basic etiquette/cleanliness should be appreciated and acknowledged.

Logged

When angels go bad, they go worse than anyone. Remember, Lucifer was an angel. ~The Marquis De Carabas

18) If you dock/declaw/etc, that is between you and your br33der/rescue society/vet. No one else should make you feel bad about your choice, one way or the other. Conversely, be respectful of people who choose differently than you do.

...unless it's that lady that was arrested for piercing kittens. That's just wrong.

Logged

When angels go bad, they go worse than anyone. Remember, Lucifer was an angel. ~The Marquis De Carabas

It is NOT OK to let your dog bark continuously - if you have a loud barker, bring him or her in the house and get them something to do!

I assumed that this would fall under town bylaws. Do you think I should add it as a separate rule?

I don't think it necessarily falls under that rubrik. Not all towns have ordinances against barking dogs, and I think it's rude to let your dog bark continuously whether or not there's a bylaw against it.

My next-door neighbors have four dogs. Two are constantly kept outside, and they bark ANY time I step foot in my own yard. Any time, day or night, no matter what the weather. It keeps me from being able to enjoy my own property. I don't care whether there's a law against it, it's really, really irritating!!!

18) If you dock/declaw/etc, that is between you and your br33der/rescue society/vet. No one else should make you feel bad about your choice, one way or the other. Conversely, be respectful of people who choose differently than you do.

...unless it's that lady that was arrested for piercing kittens. That's just wrong.

So who speaks for the animal when the animal cannot speak for themselves? If people want to mutilate themselves, I can respect that...but when they start mutilating innocent animals that cannot speak up, thats where my respect ends.

When safety trumps etiquette, does that only refer to the safety of humans?

16. Your pet is your responsibility to feed, shelter, groom, etc. It is also your responsibility to keep your pet from reproducing. Whether that means getting your pet fixed or isolating them during their heat, it is important to note that animals don't respond to abstinence training . irresponsible parents may disregard. Failure to do any of these things is negligence.

Just as an aside, can you use a filter-avoiding spelling here, like br33der. I only ask as this guide is intended for newer members who might not be familiar that the ehell filter changes that word to 'irresponsible parent', and therefore may misinterpret the meaning of rule 16.

18) If you dock/declaw/etc, that is between you and your br33der/rescue society/vet. No one else should make you feel bad about your choice, one way or the other. Conversely, be respectful of people who choose differently than you do.

...unless it's that lady that was arrested for piercing kittens. That's just wrong.

So who speaks for the animal when the animal cannot speak for themselves? If people want to mutilate themselves, I can respect that...but when they start mutilating innocent animals that cannot speak up, thats where my respect ends.

When safety trumps etiquette, does that only refer to the safety of humans?

Those things are not illegal, therefore it is not appropriate to comment on them. If you think that those things should be considered abusive, speak to your congressman, organize a protest, or vote accordingly. Polite conversation is not the time to be bringing them up. Just like any other controversial topic, it can get heated and out of hand. Safety does trump etiquette, but your personal opinion does not define "safety". Regardless of your motivation, which in most cases is very loving, it is still not appropriate to comment on the legal choices that a pet owner makes.

Just wanted to add that there are already countries where this is illegal. Germany is one of them. Maybe something to consider for the Guide.

As for 17, "not abuse" is very subjective. I'm not going to say how I feel about it, but I wouldn't make any judgments about how other people should feel when you're telling them not to be judgmental. Some people think it is abusive, some people think it is not and that's why it's a hot topic.

Just wanted to add that there are already countries where this is illegal. Germany is one of them. Maybe something to consider for the Guide.

Could you tell me what is illegal so I can add that in there?

Both docking and declawing are illegal practices in Germany. I've just googled a bit and it seems they are illegal in Austria and Switzerland, too. Can't speakt for other European countries.

Thanks for the info. I wonder if the dog shows have different standards over there as well, due to the ban on tail docking. I think I'll wander over to google and find out.....

Yup, different standards...which are *starting* to be adopted here (many of the dockings and such are no longer *mandatory* in the US--which, of course, doesn't mean that you won't be judged as if it is--meaning that it's legal for a non-docked animal to compete it's just painfully unlikely he or she would win)(the 'controversy' portion on wikipedia does a decent job addressing it--and a good list of where things are/aren't allowed:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docking_(dog))

19) My cat is terrified of children (due to being terrorized when she was a kitten, before I rescued her). On the rare occasions children come over, she mostly hides (smart kitty). But she lives here, your child does not and eventually she may wander downstairs. I will NOT tolerate any teasing, cornering, baiting, chasing or any other "ing" of my cat. If your child is older, they should know better, if they are younger, you should know better. If you can not respect the personal space of the cat, you will be asked to leave. (Thankfully this has NEVER come up, my friends raise their kids to respect animals).

20) Please, please tell me if you are allergic and I will make accomdations (even shut her in my room, yes with food, water and the box). But kicking at my cat and screaming "GET AWAY" is not the appropriate way to handle your allergy (YES, this has happened...).

21) Only I discipline my cat. Period.

ETA: To chastise myself for not reading the thread completely. Thanks Maria DD!

22) If you do not do something about your animal after several reasonable request, it is not rude for the harassed person to do something for you.

** This needs some limitors, but I can't think of what. To illustrate: My BF's roommate had a macaw she allowed to roam free. Usually, BF does not allow it in her room (as it defecates everywhere), especially when I am there as I am afraid of birds. Both BF and her roomie know of the fear as I made sure they knew before I came over. BF, BF's roomie and I are all sitting there and in walks mr. macaw. He's beautiful, but again - the fear! But, he took a liking to me and walked over to me and started NIBBLING on my TOES! AHHH!! I am pulling my feet away and asking BF's roomie to please remove the bird - over and over. Then the bird grabbed my pant legs and attempted to CLIMB UP MY LEGS. I shoved him away with my foot (note - I DID NOT kick him, just shoved him away so i could move away from him - I was pinned between him and a chair I was sitting on) jumped up and stood on my BF's bed while BF's roomie yelled at me that he just liked me and want to make friends as macaw shuffled around the room aparantly unaffected by the entire episode.

I think the rude ones were BF and her roomie for not doing something when I was paralyzed with fear and practically begging them to help.

Logged

'I shall sit here quietly by the fire for a bit, and perhaps go out later for a sniff of air. Mind your Ps and Qs, and don't forget that you are supposed to be escaping in secret, and are still on the high-road and not very far from the Shire!' -FOTR